§ 52. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour whether any schemes of work for the unemployed have been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee during this year and, if so, the total amount of money involved in such schemes?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIn accordance with the arrangements made by the late Government for work schemes for the present winter, such schemes had to be actively commenced by 31st December in order to be available for grant. Under 776 these arrangements, no schemes could have been approved since 1st January, but, as stated in my reply of 26th November to the hon. Member, I extended the date for commencement to 31st January, in certain special classes of cases, and this resulted in the approval since 1st January of 18 schemes, at a total estimated cost of about £170,000.
§ Mr. LAWSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many men will be employed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe hon. Member had better put that question down.
§ Mr. HICKSMay I ask if it is true that the Unemployment Grants Committee have been asked to go very slowly in any further grants in this direction?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI dealt with that matter very fully in my speech about 10 clays ago, and I am afraid that I can add nothing further to what I said on that occasion.